‘We are probably the first cohort in the history of the universe to have clicked an all-class selfie with each and every one of our professors.’ You can only imagine how bold Pranav Sridhar sounded when making this humorous claim at the graduation ceremony of Master of Management Studies (MMS): Duke Kunshan Class of 2016 held on Duke Kunshan campus May 20. A total of 24 students from 8 countries and regions were awarded a Master of Management Studies degree from Duke University.
As the designated student speaker, Pranav Sridhar vividly recounted the many fun memories he shared with the MMS: Duke Kunshan community in his speech, ‘Our journey over the past 10 months has been a very intimate one, and I cannot help but have each of my classmates’ names on the tip of my tongue. We have shared bikes, food, rooms, clothes, fear, hope, pain, faith, and much more. These shared experiences and this collaborative community shall forever be a source of strength and pride.’ With great pride and immense gratitude, he acknowledged all faculty members and staff of Duke Kunshan and Fuqua as well as families and friends who made this experience possible. ‘We wouldn’t be standing here without your love and support.’
Pranav Sridhar
The graduating students expressed their gratitude for Duke Kunshan University not only through words, but also a Class Gift participation rate of 100%. Four students from the Class Gift Committee presented a check of 1780 RMB to Chancellor Liu Jingnan.
Presenting Class Gift to Chancellor Liu Jingnan
Bill Boulding, Dean of The Fuqua School of Business presided the graduation ceremony and Jesse Wu, Duke Kunshan University Advisory Board Member and Former Chairman of Johnson & Johnson China, delivered the commencement speech. They were also joined by Duke Kunshan University Chancellor Liu Jingnan, Executive Vice Chancellor Denis Simon, and Associate Dean for Graduate Programs Patrick Moreton as well as more than 120 family members and friends, in congratulating the graduates on their successful completion of the course of study.
University Leadership Congratulating Students on Their Graduation
In the commencement speech, Jesse Wu shared with the students some words of wisdom he wished he had known when graduating from Fuqua. ‘As the great management guru Peter Drucker once said, to manage your own career well, you must be your own CEO. Being self-aware is important because it allows you to understand the impact that people and situation have on you,’ He exhorted the graduating students to cultivate self-awareness as they step into the world. ‘To cultivate self-awareness, you need to proactively ask for feedback, and become a better receiver of constructive criticism.’
Jesse Wu
During the program, Associate Dean Patrick Moreton also recognized Scott Jeffrey Hung, Weining Liang, Pranav Sridhar and Hongsi Zhang as Fuqua Scholars for their outstanding academic achievements. Scott Jeffrey Hung, Tina Meng-Yu Lin and Pranav Sridhar were also awarded the Dean’s Recognition Award and Distinguished Service Award for their service and contribution to The Fuqua School of Business and Duke Kunshan University.
Professor Patrick Moreton Announcing Student Award Winners
Prof. Richard Staelin, Edward S. & Rose K. Donnell Professor at Fuqua was named winner of the Excellence in Teaching Award for his devotion to students. Steve Misucara, MMS Program Director at Fuqua, received the award on behalf of the honored faculty member from Weining (Wayne) Liang, Class Co-president of MMS: Duke Kunshan Class of 2016.
Weining Liang
Steve Misucara
As the graduation ceremony concluded, the graduating students of MMS: Duke Kunshan Class of 2016 left their beloved campus as alumni. Family, friends and guests joined together with the students, faculty and staff at a grand dinner reception to celebrate this milestone in their life. As they move onto the next chapter of their lives at leading companies including P&G, Oracle and Bosera Asset Management, they will also become part of extensive global alumni networks of Duke Kunshan University and The Fuqua School of Business.
Dinner Reception